Difficult decisions..

[harveydales]

We've made the heart breaking decision to let Dolly go. I posted about the history of her Mast Cell Tumour in the veterinary section. We made the decision not to put her through surgery with a guarded outcome and she seemed to be doing fine. She was enjoying nurse maiding Eve out on walks and was well in herself and happy.

Then a week ago we had a hot weekend and it set her off rubbing her nose. I think it was a combination of heat and flies , even though there are hardly any flies around yet. After the weekend it cooled down and she seemed a lot better again although her nose was more swollen. Then this last Saturday her nose was much more swollen and was infected with pus oozing out. We cleaned her up and on the Sunday the pus had gone but it was so swollen it almost blocked the whole nostril and there was a fair bit of blood. She was still eating well - nothing will stop her appetite - but Ali said the light in her eye has gone. We both knew it was time and we've arranged for it to happen this Wednesday. Ali will get the day off work. We took her out with Eve for one last walk and let her eat loads of grass.

I can't beleive this is happening so soon after losing Harvey. Harvey and Dolly were best mates. I would look out of our bedroom window every morning adn see them standing together chilling. I'm not sure I beleive in such things, but I like to think they will be reunited. Dolly hasn't been the same since Harvey went. So I will be down to a herd of 3 soon.....

[Fi]

Awww Pam, will be thinking of you all.

[Debbie]

It's so hard, but when they let you know like that, it really is the best you can do. I'm so sorry I think it's the best choice for Dolly, though.

[valerie n scout]

Pam am gutted for you, I too can’t believe it’s happening so close to loosing Harvey x massive hugs from us x

[Debbie]

thinking of you all today and hoping Dolly can slip peacefully over to rejoin Harvey.

Pam and Alli, please be gentle with yourselves over the upcoming days. To lose her so soon after Harvey will be disorienting and hard. I'm sure it's the right choice for her, as you've aimed for quality of life for her and Dolly's only known love, home and comfort under your care. She's been a lucky girl indeed

[dalesnfellfan]

Thinking about you and Alli today Pam, hope everything goes as well as can be expected, you're doing the right thing for her, I'm not sure if I believe either but lets hope she will be reunited with Harvey and they can chill together again.

[Rowndan]

I’m so so sorry to hear about Dolly. Your both so brave an it sounds like the right decision. I always believe in quality not quantity of life for animals.
Lots and lots of love to you and Ali xxxxxx

[harveydales]

Thankyou for all your kind words. I know Ali has posted on FB but I haven't been able to bring myself to look yet. Yesterday was very hard but we know it was the right decision for Dolly. It was all very quick and peaceful. Dolly really hasn't been herself since Harvey died. Ali feels she gave up at that point and perhaps she did. Looking at photos of her from last year it is easy to see she was not herself these last few weeks. It was the right thing to do for her but so hard....

[dalesnfellfan]

So sorry, you've had a rough few weeks, not easy but you made the right decision for her, my thoughts are with you and Ali

[harveydales]

It feels unreal without Dolly. Frankie called for her at breakfast time but Eve and Lily didn't seem to be particularly bothered. Usually when I brought Eve in she would talk and nuzzle with Dolly but she seemed to know Dolly was no longer there and just got on with eating and being groomed.

[Debbie]

Give yourself time and be gentle with yourself. You've got two massive losses back to back. I hope Frankie will come to realize she's gone. I've forgotten, did he have vision limits?

I'm glad you do have Evie. She'll give you someone to focus on while you adjust to being a 3 pony home

[valerie n scout]

Perhaps each of our animals miss each other differently or get over things easier, when my first dig Sol died, we had him at home, Matthew a stray I found sniffed his body, stood and thought for a few seconds, then gave me a hug and never seemed to look back.. They had been together over 5 years X as the others have said be gentle on yourself, it's an awful time and never gets easier no matter how many times we loose a beloved companion xxx ❤️

[harveydales]

Thanks Val, yes animals do seem to react differently. Eve and Frankie were still looking for Dolly yesterday tea time so I opened up part of Dolly's old paddock for them to go in and see. They did lots of sniffing. This morning the 2 of them are standing in their own bit of paddock waiting for breakfast even though they could be in Dolly's bit which is nearer the house. Lily is off doing her own thing, not a bit bothered.

Felix, our cat, has been amazing. He was a feral farm cat I got 2 years ago to keep the rats down in the barn. He moved into our house when Ben was becoming very frail and they became great friends. Felix lay with him right to the very end, even when the vet came to put Ben to sleep. Since then Felix wants to be with me as much as he can and whenever I'm upset he is there to comfort me. The day Dolly went Felix insisted on lying on me whenever he could. He has been a tremendous comfort through all my recent animal losses.

[Debbie]

Felix sounds amazing Pam such a supportive friend.

[cadeby]

So sorry to hear this sad news Pam. Run free Dolly. If there is anything else, Harvey will have found you xx